Over 1 Million Volunteers Sign Up for 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup volunteer program has received over one million applications, setting a new record just three days before the deadline closes. This massive response shows the huge interest in the tournament, which will be held across Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

FIFA announced that around 65,000 volunteers will be selected from this record-breaking pool of applicants. The organization called this number "stunning" and said it reflects local, national, and international excitement for the global football event.

"Volunteers form the beating heart of FIFA events," the organization stated. "They welcome fans to tournaments, share pride in their countries and passion for football with fans from around the world, and make sure everyone has a smooth experience at the biggest sporting event ever."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized what volunteers bring to the tournament. "Volunteers embody the heart, soul, and smile of FIFA tournaments," he said. "They get the chance to show pride in their regions, see the tournament from behind the scenes, create lasting memories and lifelong friendships, while supporting a historic event."

This will be the largest volunteer community in FIFA history. The 2026 World Cup expands to 48 teams and will take place across 16 host cities in three countries, requiring more support staff than any previous tournament.

The volunteer applications show remarkable diversity. Infantino noted that applicants range from 18 to 92 years old, "from students just starting their life journey to retirees wanting to share their skills and experience. Everyone has a story they want to tell. It's truly the most diverse community in the world."

FIFA made clear that no previous volunteer experience is required to join the program. The volunteer roles span 23 different categories, covering both official and unofficial tournament-related positions. These include work at stadiums, training facilities, airports, and hotels.

After the October 10 deadline, FIFA will begin the selection process to choose the 65,000 volunteers and assign their positions. Selected volunteers will then undergo training to prepare them for welcoming the millions of people expected to travel to North America for the tournament.

The scale of applications suggests the 2026 World Cup could generate significant economic activity across the three host countries. With such high volunteer interest, the tournament appears positioned to create substantial local engagement and international attention that could benefit tourism and local businesses in all 16 host cities.